Middleham Castle and River Cover Loop
North Yorkshire
Middleham is a handsome Wensleydale stone-built town dominated by the Norman castle keep where Richard III grew up. This dog friendly circuit leaves the market square, drops down to the River Cover at Cover Bridge, follows the water upstream through meadow and wood, then climbs past the famous Middleham racehorse training gallops before returning to the castle walls.
Dogs can be off lead along the riverside meadow section and along the higher gallops path when there are no horses training (mornings are busy, so afternoons are better). Lead up through town, near the castle, and in any field with sheep or cattle. The River Cover has several shallow gravel bars for safe paddling and there is a dog-accessible descent to the water at Cover Bridge. Underfoot is mostly flat meadow, gravelled gallops track and a short lane, with a couple of stiles. Free parking is around the market square and there are dog friendly pubs on both the Castle Square side and down at the river.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.5 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- River, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Public toilets near the market square; dog friendly pubs and cafes in Middleham including The Black Swan and Richard III Hotel.
- Parking
- Free parking around Middleham market square (DL8 4PE); limited on-street spaces close to the castle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Middleham Castle and River Cover Loop dog friendly?
This is a well-suited walk for dogs, earning a solid 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The route takes in riverside meadows, a gallops track and Wensleydale countryside, with shallow gravel bars on the River Cover offering safe paddling spots along the way. Back in Middleham itself, you'll find dog friendly pubs and cafes including The Black Swan and the Richard III Hotel.
Can dogs be off lead at Middleham Castle and River Cover Loop?
There are good stretches where dogs can run free — the riverside meadow section and the higher gallops path are both suitable for off-lead walking. That said, the gallops are busy with racehorses in the mornings, so afternoons are a much better bet if you want to let your dog off the lead up there. Keep dogs on the lead through town, near the castle, and in any fields with livestock.
What should I know before visiting Middleham Castle and River Cover Loop with my dog?
The route is mostly flat with meadow, a gravelled gallops track and a short lane underfoot, though there are a couple of stiles to navigate. Middleham is a working racehorse training town, so be mindful of horses — mornings on the gallops can be particularly busy. Free parking is available around the market square (DL8 4PE), public toilets are nearby, and there's a dog-accessible entry to the River Cover at Cover Bridge if your dog fancies a paddle.
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